Australian Football

Match Report

Hawthorn has survived a major scare from the raipdly-improving Gold Coast Suns to record its eighth win from nine games in 2013 and maintain its hold on top place of the ladder. The Hawks had been expected to comfortably account for Gold Coast but the Suns had them under great pressure for much of the match, particularly in the first half, and at one stage in the third quarter Gold Coast held a 17-point lead.

Hawk coach Alastair Clarkson praised his team's ability to get the ball inside Hawthorn's forward-50 far more often than the Suns (70-42 Hawthorn's way) but lamented the ease with which Gold Coast scored when it did take the ball forward. The Suns had 22 shots at goal, scoring 14.8 from their forward entries, while Hawthorn could manage just 28 shots, despite going inside 28 more times.

One positive for Hawthorn was the return to form of Lance Franklin. "Buddy" had a first half to forget, spilling marks, fumbling the ball in general play and not being able to kick a goal. But it all came together for the champion after the long break, and his four second-half goals played a major part in Hawthorn's eventual 26-point victory.

Shaun Burgoyne was outstanding for the Hawks, with three goals and 22 disposals, while ex-Cat Jonathan Simpkin (32 touches) and Jordan Lewis (31 possessions) also played roles pivotal to the Hawks' win. Gary Ablett was predictably magnificent for Gold Coast, kicking three goals and collecting the ball 37 times. He was ably supported by Dion Prestia (33 possessions and a goal) and Aaron Hall, who kicked a career-high five goals.

The Hawks will play Melbourne next Sunday at the MCG, and an expected win there will see them enter their bye round with a 9-1 record. Gold Coast, whose 4-5 record leaves them still only a game outside the top eight have a very tough encounter to come next Saturday night when they take on Geelong in what will be the first ever night fixture at Kardinia Park.

GOALS
Hawthorn: Franklin 5; Burgoyne, Roughead 3; Grimley, Breust, Bailey, Gunston, Mitchell, Hodge, Puopolo
Gold Coast: Hall 5; Ablett 3; Lynch, Prestia, Brown, Matera, Broughton, Swallow

BEST - THE AGE
Hawthorn: Burgoyne, Lewis, Mitchell, Franklin, Simpkin, Roughead, Shiels, Bailey
Gold Coast: Ablett, Prestia, Hall, Lynch, Thompson, Harbrow, Brown

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Hawthorn: Burgoyne, Simpkin, Mitchell, Bailey, Stratton, Lewis
Gold Coast: Ablett, Thompson, Prestia, Hall, Matera

COACHES' COMMENTS
Alastair Clarkson (Haw): Gold Coast took it up to us and full credit to them but we just didn't play with the type of endeavour [required]. We didn't tackle and put pressure on the Gold Coast side enough in the first half and we allowed them to control the ball far too easily, which resulted in some really easy goals to them. In the third quarter we tackled and we gave ourselves a chance.

Guy McKenna (GCo): We wanted to test Hawthorn and I thought for the majority of the game we did that. The pressure they applied to us at some stages came to bear. We had out noses in front for a portion of the game but full credit to Hawthorn with their pressure and that's the sort of stuff we need. We're only going to get better from that.

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Gold Coast: Lonergan (hamstring), Brennan (knee), May (quad)

SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Sam Grimley subbed off for Taylor Duryea
Gold Coast: Jesse Lonergan (hamstring) subbed off for Luke Russell at half-time

UMPIRES: Bannister, Ryan, Schmitt